Women's World Cup 2023: USA held by Portugal in frustrating goalless draw but reach last 16

A goalless draw was enough to send USA, double defending champions, into the last 16 at the Women's World Cup, but the way they struggled to dominate and create against a technical but underpowered Portugal did not suggest that the mythical three-peat is likely.

The first half was a tight affair, Portugal’s midfield diamond blocking the centre of the pitch and their possession game frustrating USA, who were not able to hit the big switches and generate the wide overloads they needed to stretch the play.

USA improved after the break, the direct running of Rose Lavelle breaking lines and causing problems. Portugal, though, were good for their point and should have pinched a shock win when Ana Capeta drilled again the post in added time. So the holders survived, but whoever the holders meet next – whether Sweden or Italy – will know their aura has gone.

Netherlands topped Group E after thrashing Vietnam 7-0.

Esmee Brugts scored two curling efforts while Jill Roord also netted twice. Lieke Martens, Katja Snoeijs and Danielle van de Donk added to the score as Netherlands set up a clash with the Group G runners-up in the last 16 on Sunday.

USA are the reigning double world champions, and the confidence that gives them is palpable. But being the best in 2015 and being the best now are two almost-unrelated activities – the game has changed a lot in four years, never mind eight.

And watching them through this group, though it’s not hard to see them turning up the power in the knockouts, it’s easy to see that the game has developed beyond their natural style. It’s no longer enough to play simple football that takes advantage of superior speed and strength, because savvy, technical opponents – many of whom play in leagues now of a higher standard than the NWSL – know how to counter that.

So, though USA are through to a winnable knockout tie, their era of superiority might just be ending.

Came for everything, got almost everything, and gave her defenders the confidence to defend.

Portugal: Pereira 8, Borges 7, Costa 7, Gomes 7, Amado 6, Dolores 7, Pinto 6, Norton 6, Nazareth 7, Diana 7, Jessica 7. Subs: Jacinto 6, Encarnacao 6, Marchao 6, Capeta 6.

USA: Naeher 6, Fox 6, Ertz 6, Girma 5, Dunn 6, Sullivan 5, Lavelle 7, Horan 5, Williams 5, Morgan 5, Smith 4. Subs: Rapinoe 6, Rodman 6, Sonnett 6, Thompson 6, O'Hara 6.

3’ - NOW HERE COME THE US! Sullivan finds Williams down the right, and Morgan stubs at her low cross having hit the front stick ... and it's deflected behind. Then, from the corner, Williams flicks on at the near post ... and Pereira fields easily enough.

16’ - OH JESSICA! A fine ball into midfield from Borges picks out Nazereth, who turns and slips in Jessica! But with players arriving, she instead opts to shoot - not unreasonably - but dribbles a poor effort wide of the far post, raising hands by way of apology.

27’ - HERE COMES MORGAN! She tricks her way down the left, drawing in Gomes and burning past on the outside before jinking along the by-line and crossing low ... Pereira blocks, then makes a fine reaction-save when the loose ball drops to Williams, who subsequently skies the rebound! Pereira can keep some goal.

59’ - LAVELLE AGAIN DRIVES FORWARD WITH THE BALL What a difference it makes having a player breaking lines. Diana fouls her, and she'll now stick another ball into the box 30 yards out and pretty central. She looks for the far post, Williams arrives on the run ... and heads wide of the near post.

90+1’ - AND HAVE AN ABSOLUTE LOOK! Out of nowhere, Capeta marches through, running onto a flick-on, she laces a decent low shot that beats Naeher ... and clatters the base of the post before bouncing out! USA were inches from elimination there! Capeta inches from immortality!

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